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Legislature convenes to resolve budget shortfall

SANTA FE - New Mexico lawmakers were poised to start a 60-day legislative session today with a top priority of closing the state’s large budget gap and finding enough money to maintain critical government servi

Legislature convenes to resolve budget shortfall

New Mexico state flags are raised in the New Mexico state Senate in Santa Fe on Friday in anticipation of the legislative session. New Mexico lawmakers are confronting budget shortfalls, frustration over a weak economy, and concerns about violent crime and school performance as they convene on Tuesday.(Photo: Morgan Lee/AP)

New Mexico’s incoming speaker of the House of Representatives is urging his Democratic allies and Republicans to work in cooperation to help provide greater economic security for local families and businesses.

House Speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe told lawmakers Tuesday that businesses are struggling to find qualified employees even as people leave the state in search of jobs. He says schools must be fixed to resolve that equation.

Egolf says he hopes legislators can balance the state budget, close tax loopholes and collect taxes that are due to the state during the 60 day session. Democrats won back full majority control of the Legislature in November elections.

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12:20 p.m.

The New Mexico House of Representatives has elected a new Democratic speaker to guide legislative deliberations.

Santa Fe-based attorney Brian Egolf on Tuesday became the speaker of the House, after Democrats regained majority control of the chamber in November elections.

Previous House speaker Don Tripp of Socorro is retiring from the Legislature after serving since 1999. He was elected speaker in 2015 after Republicans won control of the chamber for the first time in six decades.

Sen. Peter Worth of Santa Fe is the Senate majority leader. Rep. Nate Gentry and Sen. Stuart Ingle are the Republican minority leaders in the House and Senate.

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Noon

The New Mexico state Legislature has convened for a 60-day session with Democrats back in control of both chambers.

The nation’s only unsalaried Legislature gathered Tuesday in Santa Fe to consider a wide range of policy initiatives and address a state budget crisis brought on by a downturn in the energy sector.

Democrats won back majority control of the House of Representatives in November elections, and further consolidated their hold on the Senate. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez is vowing to oppose any tax increases as the lawmakers grapple with a budget shortfall and depleted state reserves.

The state’s dire financial picture is likely to color policy discussions by lawmakers about crime and punishment, marijuana laws, educational reforms and economic development incentives. Many Democratic lawmakers want to increase distributions from the state’s $15 billion permanent to spend on early education.

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3:00 a.m.

Filling a budget hole and finding enough money to maintain state government services next year are top priorities as New Mexico lawmakers convene for a 60-day legislative session.

Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is scheduled to outline budget and policy priorities in a State of the State address on Tuesday. She says state government should be able to resolve a budget deficit and restore depleted reserves without raising taxes.

Plunging state revenues and economic difficulties are linked to a downturn in the oil and natural gas sectors.

Democrats who took back majority control of the Legislature in November elections have given a cold reception to the governor’s proposals to sweep money from local school district reserves and reduce take-home pay to teachers and state workers through increased pension contributions.